Windows 11 brings Auto HDR, first launched on the Xbox Series X|S consoles, to the PC. The function guarantees to make older titles look simply as brilliant and vibrant as newer HDR-compatible releases with no main hit to efficiency. That’s certain to have PC avid gamers eyeing an upgrade to Windows 11. Is it price making the leap?

We’ve dug deep into Windows 11’s Auto HDR to search out the reply. Here’s all the things you must know, from the {hardware} you must how you can set it up, together with picture high quality comparisons with the function on and off, and comparisons of how Windows 11’s Auto HDR compares to the model provided on the Xbox. Let’s dig in.

Here’s how to get Windows 11 for cheap (or even for free)

How to make use of Auto HDR

Auto HDR is a normal function of Windows 11 and is offered when excessive dynamic vary (HDR) is turned on. The Auto HDR toggle is discovered within the Display menu alongside the HDR change. (Here’s a step-by-step information to turning on Auto HDR in Windows 11.) Some video games will immediate you to show Auto HDR on when launched if the function is off.

You may also activate Auto HDR by means of the Windows Game Bar. Press the Windows + G keys to carry up the sport bar, choose Settings (represented by a gear icon), then open Gaming Features. Select Use Auto HDR with supported video games to activate Auto HDR.

You may even see an HDR Intensity possibility. Select this to open a slider that allows you to improve or lower the HDR impact. I typically discovered Auto HDR was greatest at excessive depth, although this might look overly sharp at occasions.

While Auto HDR will work on any HDR monitor, the advantages rely in your monitor. HDR screens will not be onerous to search out, however most HDR screens are slightly unhealthy at HDR. The majority ship a most brightness of about 400 nits, at greatest, and funds fashions routinely fall under that. Entry-level HDR screens even have a slim shade gamut that may’t show the complete vary of HDR shade. Our information to HDR on the PC explains all the things you must know concerning the know-how, together with what it’s best to search for in an HDR monitor.

I used Samsung’s cutting-edge Odyssey G9 Neo super-ultrawide for many of my testing, however I additionally tried Auto HDR on Acer’s budget-friendly XV340CK ultrawide. The XV340CK helps HDR enter however can’t even hit 400 nits of brightness. As a outcome, HDR tends to look very boring and doesn’t present a lot element. Auto HDR doesn’t repair the difficulty. You will want a stable HDR monitor to see an enchancment.

How Auto HDR works

Auto HDR makes use of an algorithm to investigate an customary dynamic vary (SDR) picture and convert it to HDR. The algorithm pays specific consideration to SDR luminance knowledge. Think of it like upscaling a picture to the next decision, however with luminance knowledge as an alternative of decision.

Still confused? Take a look at Jeff Grubb’s coverage of Auto HDR on the Xbox Series X, which incorporates HDR heatmap footage offered by HDR knowledgeable Adam Fairclough (aka EvilBoris). The HDR heatmap footage supplies a way of the uncooked luminance knowledge Auto HDR is utilizing to spice up brightness and total distinction.

Auto HDR works on the working system degree, so all video games are suitable with Auto HDR. The solely restriction famous by Microsoft is that a game must support DirectX 11 or DirectX 12 to enable Auto HDR. However, I discovered that titles which don’t assist DirectX 11 or 12 appeared to work—or, a minimum of, appeared totally different. Microsoft’s documentation is unclear on this level.

Of course, there’s actually hundreds of video games you may use with Auto HDR. The function’s presence doesn’t assure that it’ll work correctly or enhance your expertise. Microsoft doesn’t run an Auto HDR certification program and its official bulletins surrounding Auto HDR are likely to give attention to video games from Microsoft-owned studios. It’s the wild west, in different phrases: Auto HDR will all the time be an possibility when you have Windows 11, however it could not all the time have the meant impact.

Don’t let that put you off, although. Auto HDR does appear to operate properly with the vast majority of fashionable video games and, if it doesn’t, you may merely flip it off.

Auto HDR picture high quality examined

Microsoft has put a lot effort into Auto HDR. But does it work as marketed?

To discover out, I examined a number of video games on Samsung’s Odyssey G9 Neo monitor. The G9 Neo is an ultrawide Mini-LED monitor that has a most peak brightness of 2000 nits in HDR content material and, in my testing, can simply maintain over 600 nits in brilliant scenes. It’s an excellent selection for highlighting the impression of Auto HDR.

I used a DSLR digital camera to take pictures of the monitor with Auto HDR in motion. This isn’t an ideal resolution. The digital camera’s pictures will not be in an HDR format and, for those who’re studying this on a PC, it’s seemingly you’re not viewing on an HDR monitor. This blunts the impact. Still, the pictures provide an instance of what you may anticipate.

To look at the screenshots in finer element, right-click on them in your browser and choose “open image in new tab.”

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

The remaster of Age of Empires II is just not a really perfect sport for Auto HDR, which is exactly why I needed to strive it. Originally launched in 1997, this traditionally themed real-time technique sport lacks flashy explosions or magical spell results.

Matt Smith/IDG

Matt Smith/IDG

There’s not a lot to see right here. The two pictures look virtually an identical, with solely a refined increase in brightness Auto HDR turned on. Most gamers would have a tough time discerning whether or not the function was on or off.

My real-life impression of the sport was just like what you see within the pictures, however I encountered a difficulty you may’t see. Menus and loading screens have been rendered with eye-searing brightness when Auto HDR was turned on. This is a recognized draw back to Auto HDR.

On the entire, Auto HDR doesn’t do a lot for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. Let’s transfer on to extra promising video games. This underscores the bounds of Auto HDR. It’s an algorithm, not magic, and can have much less impression in video games with few high-contrast scenes.

Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy XIV is a sport that embraces a flashy, high-contrast presentation. Originally launched on PlayStation 3 and PC, the sport’s engine doesn’t assist HDR and appears unlikely to obtain an HDR replace within the close to future. Auto HDR, you’re my solely hope!

Matt Smith/IDG

Matt Smith/IDG

It’s clear that Auto HDR doesn’t solely change the sport’s look even on this high-contrast scene. Look intently, although, and chances are you’ll discover the Aether crystal, surrounded by a blue glow, reveals extra element with Auto HDR. The avenue lights additionally seem much less blown out. Finally, I feel Auto HDR reveals barely extra distinction total. Dark areas seem darker and brighter areas brighter, but each retain element.

I additionally observed spell results had extra punch with Auto HDR turned on. Spells forged by my White Mage appeared to peak at the next most luminance. Spell results appeared extra outlined and impactful.

Auto HDR’s points with loading screens and menus stay. Final Fantasy XIV, like most MMORPGs, has a number of menus. Those with a brighter presentation, just like the map, might seem overly brilliant when opened in an in any other case darkish surroundings.

My emotions on Auto HDR in Final Fantasy XIV are combined. I recognize the added dazzle of spell results which, on HDR monitor just like the Samsung Odyssey G9 Neo, provide eye-searing outcomes. Still, the general enchancment is simply okay. Auto HDR is best, however I might take it or depart it.

Halo: Reach (from Halo: The Master Chief Collection)

Halo: The Master Chief Collection consists of HDR assist on the Xbox, however HDR is just not supported on the PC. That leaves PC avid gamers with no selection however to stay with Auto HDR. Fortunately, the leads to Halo: Reach are stable.

Matt Smith/IDG

Matt Smith/IDG

These pictures present a transparent distinction in total distinction. The solar rising within the distance seems brighter within the sky. Turn your consideration to the foreground, although, and also you’ll see extra depth within the character’s arms and gun.

I like what Auto HDR does with the gun’s ammo show. It seems flat within the SDR shot, as if it’s a decal caught on the gun slightly than a display screen constructed into it. Auto HDR fixes this challenge, offering a way of depth that makes the display screen seem set into the fabric round it.

There’s a noticeable improve in shade and brightness within the dawn. The SDR picture seems nice, however Auto HDR brightens and provides shade to the clouds instantly surrounding the dawn with out shedding element. It higher depicts the vivid glow you’ll see when watching a dawn (or sundown) in actual life.

It’s not all excellent news. Auto HDR is a transparent enchancment in-game, however the function had a detrimental impression on the sport’s interface. Halo: The Master Chief Collection performs pre-rendered video within the sport’s menus. Using HDR led to distracting macroblocking artifacts on this video. This occurred with Auto HDR on or off. It’s a minor annoyance, however one you’ll regularly encounter whereas navigating the sport’s multiplayer matchmaking menus.

Skyrim Special Edition

Skyrim begs for HDR however, sadly for followers, was launched years earlier than HDR turned out there. Even the upcoming Skyrim Anniversary Edition received’t assist it. That seemingly means it’s too giant a technical raise to ever be included within the sport’s official launch. Fans should depend on Auto HDR – so, how good is it?

Matt Smith/IDG

Matt Smith/IDG

Yes, I’ve saved one of the best for final. Auto HDR does loads for Skyrim and supplies a giant increase over SDR. As with Halo: Reach, Auto HDR supplies a noticeable increase to the scene’s total distinction. The improved distinction is most blatant within the foreground buildings, which seem brighter, extra vivid, and extra detailed than in SDR.

Color presentation is enhanced, as properly, with a richer but extra balanced look. The SDR shot is not any slouch, however the foreground buildings have a heat hue that appears a bit unnatural by comparability.

You will see the solar is blown out within the Auto HDR shot, however don’t fear: this isn’t consultant of actuality. The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9’s peak HDR brightness is so excessive that I had bother discovering a degree of digital camera publicity that retained element in brilliant and darkish areas directly. In actuality, the extent of element within the solar was comparable in each SDR and Auto HDR, however the solar appeared considerably brighter with Auto HDR on.

The solely drawback is one that you could be, by now, anticipate: Skyrim’s out-of-engine menus have points. The fog that rolls into the scene throughout the principle menu shows huge grey bands and seems overblown.

It’s much less of an issue with Skyrim than with Halo: The Master Chief Collection, although, as a result of gamers have little motive to navigate this portion of the sport’s menus and can as an alternative leap straight into the sport. Skyrim’s in-game menus, together with the map and the magic choice display screen, look nice with Auto HDR turned on.

Auto HDR on PC vs. Xbox Series X

Auto HDR is a function that spans each the Xbox Series X and the PC, so I used to be curious how efficiency in contrast between PC and console. I linked the Xbox Series X to the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 to see for myself. The Xbox Series X doesn’t assist super-ultrawide (or ultrawide) facet ratios, after all, so I positioned the Odyssey G9 Neo into 16:9 show mode. All different settings remained the identical.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection

As talked about earlier than, Halo: The Master Chief Collection helps HDR on the Xbox Series X, however doesn’t on the PC. This comparability is a battle of “true” HDR in opposition to Auto HDR.

Matt Smith/IDG

Matt Smith/IDG

The dawn, and the world surrounding it, seems comparable in each pictures. Both Auto HDR on PC and native HDR on the Xbox Series X present a red-orange glow in clouds that doesn’t pop in SDR. Auto HDR and native HDR share an total increase in distinction that gives a greater sense of depth, particularly within the foreground.

However, native HDR on the Xbox Series X has a bonus in darkish parts of the picture. The gun held by the character reveals extra element and distinction than on PC with Auto HDR turned on. The similar might be stated of the cliffside and bushes, the place parts of the terrain confronted away from the solar turn out to be so darkish that element is misplaced. The PC picture seems too darkish by comparability.

Halo: Reach seems nice in Auto HDR, however this can be a win for native HDR on the Xbox Series X.

Skyrim Special Edition

Skyrim Special Edition doesn’t natively assist HDR on any platform, so depends on Auto HDR on each PC and Xbox Series X. So, does Auto HDR look the identical on console and PC?

Matt Smith/IDG

Matt Smith/IDG

There’s a transparent distinction between the colour in every shot. The picture captured from Auto HDR on the PC has a cooler, cleaner look, whereas the picture captured from the Xbox Series X seems hotter within the foreground.

It’s attainable this is because of a variance in time of day or seasons. While the pictures have been taken at roughly the identical time of day, they pictures weren’t snapped at the very same in-game minute.

Putting shade apart, each pictures are comparable in distinction, element, and brightness. Both provide higher total distinction in comparison with SDR. More element is seen within the rock wall within the foreground, in addition to alongside the darker parts of rooflines and in characters.

The solar seems blown out in each HDR pictures, which is attributable to the Odyssey Neo G9’s excessive most luminance. The solar was, actually, clearly seen to my eyes, however the digital camera was not in a position to seize it.

I favor the picture captured from Auto HDR on the PC, however I imagine the variations in presentation are because of variances in in-game lighting and never Auto HDR itself. In any case, Auto HDR is an enchancment over SDR on each PC and Xbox Series X.

The verdict: Windows 11 Auto HDR might be nice on the fitting show

I spent a number of weeks testing Auto HDR in numerous conditions past these I photographed, with the majority of my time spent in Final Fantasy XIV and Skyrim. I additionally tried the function on a number of screens apart from the Odyssey Neo G9. I loved my time utilizing Auto HDR, however the function made me extra conscious of the issues dealing with HDR gaming on the PC.

The massive challenge is that this: Auto HDR works greatest with an excellent HDR monitor, and nice HDR screens are onerous to come back by. You will need an OLED or Mini-LED show with a most peak brightness of a minimum of 1,000 nits to totally recognize what Auto HDR has to supply. Unfortunately, most screens fall far under this requirement.

Auto HDR could make a distinction when considered on a stable HDR show, and the advantages are most noticeable in video games with high-contrast scenes. Skyrim’s dramatic sunrises and copious god-rays look their greatest with Auto HDR. The flat, easy presentation of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition positive aspects little.

There’s no draw back to Auto HDR, a minimum of. The profit is usually giant, and generally small, however the function is optionally available and might merely be turned off for those who encounter an issue.

If Auto HDR is the rationale you’re contemplating an improve to Windows 11, ask your self this: Do you personal a monitor with a peak brightness of a minimum of 1,000 nits? If you do, making the leap to Windows 11 for Auto HDR is a good suggestion. If not, maintain off on Windows 11 and spend money on a monitor improve as an alternative.